Former Tennessee baseball star outfielder Drew Gilbert couldn’t be playing much better baseball right now.
At the Triple-A level, just one step below the MLB, the Tony Vitello Era center fielder was just named the Syracuse Mets Player of the Week. Through five games, he hit at a .353 clip with three home runs, six RBI and a 1.332 OPS.
This year with Syracuse, Gilbert is hitting .231 with a .345 on-base percentage. In 66 games, he has nine home runs, 37 runs and 35 RBI.
Drew Gilbert is your Player of the Week, presented by @aaa_wcny! #SmetsPOTW pic.twitter.com/hRV766RNKx
— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) July 8, 2025
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The path to the majors isn’t simple for Gilbert, though. The Mets have had great outfield play from the current members of their roster, resulting in one of the best records in the league.
For Gilbert to actually crack the big leagues for the first time, it may take an injury at the big league level to open up a spot. If there are any unfortunate breaks for New York, though, you’d think Gilbert’s recent stretch of success would place him near the top, if not at the top of the list for call-ups.
According to MLB.com, Gilbert ranks as the No. 9 prospect in the Mets’ farm system. Injuries, particularly last season, have also pushed the timeline back for the outfielder.
Gilbert began his career with the Astros after being picked in the first round with the No. 28 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. However, he was dealt to the Mets in a deal that landed Houston Justin Verlander.
Gilbert played at Tennessee for three seasons from 2020-22. To begin his career, he was a two-way player, pitching and hitting for the Vols. He made 11 appearances throughout his first two seasons while posting a 2.76 career ERA and 2-0 record.
At the plate, he started in 10 of his 15 appearances as a true freshman before the season ended early. He earned a .350 batting average while hitting one home run.
In 2021, he was a key piece of a team that made a push to the College World Series for the first time under Vitello. He hit .274 in 67 starts and 68 appearances with 10 home runs. His most memorable swing was the walk-off grand slam he hit in the Knoxville Regional against Wright State.
His final year before entering the MLB draft saw him slug at a .362 average and mash 11 home runs. The team would win the SEC regular season and tournament titles and was the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. He was named a First-Team All-American and SEC Tournament MVP.
